Window construction



Jan. 2, 1945.

E. J. KUMP; JR

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 22, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR f/nes J Hum/D.

ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, 1945. E, J, KUMP, JR 2,366,339

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. 22, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 2, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW CONSTRUUIION Ernest J. Kump, Jr., Fresno, Calif.

Application September 22, 1941, Serial No. 411,770

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to window construction, and has for one of its objects, a simple, rugged, and reliable window unit adapted to be quickly installed in a wall opening as a unit. and which unit includes window sash and shutters with actuating means therefor accessible from within the room in a wall of which said unit is installed, and which sash and shutters are arranged and adapted to =be so actuated as to control the light and ventilation in a manner to more efliciently provide for any desired condition within such room.

Another object is a window unit including adjustable window sash and shutters supported in a single frame for installation in a wall opening as a unit, and which sash and shutters are arranged relative to each other to provide better ventilation in a room or building than heretoiore, and which shutters cooperate to insure such ventilation and at the same time, control the light passing through diierent areas enclosed by the frame in a manner to provide better lighting, free from glare, at the level within a room in which the occupants of such room ordinarily work.

A still further object is a window unit including window sash, a screen, shutters, and control means for the sash and shutters accessible at one side of the assembly, and which sash and shutters are pivotally supported in a single frame for swinging about horizontal axes, with the shutters arranged in gangs or groups for simultaneous movement of the shutters of separate gangs or groups to positions in which the light rays from outside a building in which such unit is installed, will be reflected at diierent angles by the shutters of different groups before passing into the building.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the annexed drawings and specification.

Briefly described, my improved window unit is particularly suited for use in schools, factories, and places where the problems of ventilation and light are particularly important, although it is not restricted to this use. In school, factory and oflice building, the windows are generally relatively long vertically, and are arranged in rows along the walls. Many expedients for controlling ventilation and light have heretofore been tried, such as the use of Venetian blinds inside the sash and within the room, and in some instances shutters or louvers have been installed outside the building in a manner to extend over the horizontally projected area of the sash. Window sashes, swingable'about horizontal axes and shutters or louvers that likewise swing to various angular positions about horizontal axes are not new in themselves, but insofar as I am aware, no one has heretofore utilized these elements in a manner to provide a unitin a single frame in which said elements are positioned relative to each other and are so actuatable as to provide for proper light control and ventilation. With my unitary window, the louvers and sash are carried in a single frame in proper relation to cooperate with each other to insure closing the window openings tightly against either ingress or egress of light therethrough. Also, the shutters are outside the sash relative to the interior of the room and are relatively close to the sash when the latter are in closed position, and which sash and shutters cooperate with each other to provide for more eilicient ventilation free from objectionable draft when both are actuated to swing to open positions, with the shutters, when in their open position,'being adapted to modify the passage of objectionable light from the sky or sun at the upper portion of the window opening so as to prevent objectionable glare, while admitting a greater amount of light through the lower portion of the window opening but reilecting such latter light in a manner to also prevent glare.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a, window with a portion thereof broken away to disclose some of the operating elements more clearly.

Fig. 2 is a greatly reduced plan view of a window as seen from the inside of a room in which it is positioned.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of part of the louver actuating means, certain portions of said view being in elevation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the louver actuating means for the uppermost group of louvers shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being in elevation.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end view of one of my louvers.

The drawings herein show a rectangular frame I within which is supported an upper sash 2 and a lower sash 3, each sash comprising a glass pane supported in a frame in the usual manner. 'I'he sash 2, 3 are disposed one over the other with their adjacent edges stepped to provide vertically overlapping engaging surfaces as indicated in Fig. 1, to form a seal as well as a drain when the sash are in closed position.

The sash 2, 3 are disposed adjacent the side of frame I that is adapted to tace into the room in the wall opening of which the frame is to be secured. Said frame itself is formed to fit into a conventional wall opening provided for a window.

Secured to each of the lateral edges of sash 2 is a vertically extending bar 4. The drawings (Figs. 1, 3) show the bar at only one edge of the sash, since the bars at the opposite edges are identical in structure. Each bar 4 is forrned at its 1ower end with a portion v5 -projecting substantially at right angles to the main length of the -bar in direction toward the outer side of frame I, said outer side meaning the side adapted to tace outwardly of the room-wall yin whichthe frame is to be positioned. Thus portion 5 of each bar 4 terminates about even with the lower edge of sash 2, and is pivotally secured to a pivot 6 that carries a slide 1, and which slide 1 is vertically slidable in a vertical slot in a guide member `8 that is secured to the inner side vof the side members of frame I (Fig. 3) The slide 1 has substantial'frictional resistance on member 8 to sliding, but is nevertheless slidable when some force is used so as to support the sash clo'sed or at any angular position when opened, as will later be described.

The upper ends of bars 4 are each connected by a pivot 9 to the lower end of a link I0, and the upper ends of links l are each pivotally secured to a bracket by a pivot I2. Brackets are each secured to the side members of frame I.

At the upper end of each bar 4 is formed a horizontally extending projection I 3 that projects from the sash 2 into the room. Each of the projections |3 is pivotally connected by pivot I4 with the upper end of a vertical bar |5, and the lower end of each bar I is pivotally connected to a similar projection I3 that is formed on the upper` ends of each one of a pair of bars 4' that are re spectively secured to the opposite side edges of llower sash 3.

The elements 4 to I3 as described for the upper sash 2, are dupllcatedwith respect to lower sash 3 and are in the same relation to said lower sash, hence the numerals used are the same as those for the upper sash, except that they are primed.

The pivotal connection between the lower ends of bars I5 and projections I3' includes a horizontal bar I6 that extends between said projections I3' and across the window sash. The lower ends of bars I5 are slidable over the outer ends of such bar I6, so as to disconnect the upper projections I3 from the lower ones, if so desired.

In operation, assuming the sash to be in closed position as indicated in Fig. 1, and assuming bars |5 connect projections I3, I3', theoperator malr simultaneously open both the upper and lower sash pulling generally downwardly and inwardly into the room on bar I5. The sash will then swing away from frame, I at their upper edges to any degree of inclination desired, while the lower edges of each sash will pivot about the pivots 6, 6'. The friction slides 1 will slide upwardly on members 8 and will support the sash in any desired angle. If the window sash are to be swung open separately, it is only necessary to disconnect the lower ends of bars I5 from projections I3' and the upper and lower sash will swing independently of each other.

This feature of swinging the sash about horizontal axes at their lower edges respectively, is

very important, since the panes in the sash may not only be readily cleaned when the sash is opened, but the air entering the room will be deected upwardly and over the occupants of the room, and most important of all is the cooperation between this swinging of the sash and the shutters, as will be later described, for the purpose of affording improved light and ventilation control. While only two sash are disclosed in the drawings, it is obvious that more may be employed as desired, or only one.

Also enclosed within frame I is a plurality of gangs or groups of louvers. Two groups are shown in Fig. 1, there being an upper group of louvers 20, and a, lower group 20'. The upper group extends over the upper half of the window frame opening, while the lower group extends over the lower half. More groups may be used. but an understanding of the invention requires only two.

The louvers 20, 20' are horizontally elongated. relatively narrow strips of metal or wood or of any desired rigid material, those in the drawings being indicated as being of wood. These strips are rabbeted at their upper and lower edges so that the adjacent edges of adjacent louvers will iit together with a lip on the lower edge of the upper louver overlapping a corresponding lip on the upper edge of the lower louver of each pair to provide a drain for water when the louvers are `closed and in coplanar relation, and to also insure against leakage of light as well as't enable the louversto be disposed in said coplanar relation 4when closed (Fig. 1).. f

Secured to each of the opposite ends of each louver is a plate 2| that is formed adjacent the upper edge of the louver with an opening for a pivot 22 that pivotally secures each plate to a vertical metal strip 23 rigidly secured to the inner side of each side frame member of frame I. Each plate 2| also is formed with an ear 24, oiset horizontally relative to the louver to which the plate is attached, to lie between the sash and the louver, said ear projecting upwardly to a point above the louver. A pivot 25 pivotally and frictionally secures the upper end of each ear to a vertical bar 26 (in the case of louvers 20) or to a bar 26' (in the case of the louvers 28'). Thus upon moving bars 26 downwardly, all the louvers 20 will swing on pivots 22 to angular positions relative to a vertical plane, with the lower edges of the louvers 20 swinging outwardly relative to the outer side of frame I. Also when bars 26 are moved downwardly, the louvers 20' will similarly swing on their pivots 22'.

Plates 2| may be formed to extend slightly over the sides of the louvers that are disposed adjacent the sash, and the portions of the plates 2| pivoted to strips 23 may be bent outwardly slightly, as indicated in Fig. 3, while strips 23 are formed with a channel portion along one edge against the outer side of the bottom of which the plates 2| are disposed.

The bars 25 are each pivotally connected to the outer end of a crank arm 21 at a point adjacent the uppermost louver of the louvers 20. One crank arm is adjacent each bar 26, andthe inner end of each arm 21 is secured to a horizontal shaft 28 that is journaled for rotation about its axis in bearings 29, supported in any suitable manner on the frame (Fig. 3).

Around shaft 28 adjacent one of the side frame lmembers of frame is wrapped several turns of an endless cord30, such as an airplane cord, one of which turns may pass through said shaft so as to insure against slippage of the turns on said shaft. The cord 30 then extends vertically downwardly adjacent said one of the side frame members where it makes several turns around one end of a horizontal shaft 3| that extends through a bearing 32 in the lower frame mem-ber of frame 2. The opposite end of shaft 3| extends from the inner side of said lower frame member so as to be accessible for turning by an operator within a room. A detachable crank 33 may be provided for rotating shaft 3|.

In operation, upon revolving crank 33 dn one direction, the cord 30 will wind on shaft 3| to rotate shaft 28 to cause the louvers 20 to swing on their pivots 22 to open position at any desired degree of angularity relative to a vertical plane, As shaft 28 is relatively close to the upper horizontal frame member of frame I, it is out of the way and will not substantially interfere with the vision or light.

The lower groups of louvers 20' are similarly swung on their pivots by means of a pair of crank arms 35 that are pivotally connected at their outer ends respectively, to the lower end of a link 36. The upper ends of said links 36 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of bars 26'. Only one of said crank arms, links and bars are shown in Fligs. 1, 4 since these are in duplicate and are respectively positioned adjacent each of the side frame members of frame I.

The end of each arm 35 opposite its connection with link 36 is secured to a horizontal rod 31,-

which bar is disposed just over the lower frame member of frame I, and is journaled at its ends in bearings in brackets 38 (Fig. 4) that are adjacent the side frame members of frame and which brackets are secured to frame I.

The rod 31 also carries an arm 33 projecting therefrom. The outer end of arm 39 may be cleft forming a pair of legs, each formed with a slot 4|) extending radially of rod 31.

A horizontal, internally threaded shaft 4I ex tends through the horizontal lower frame member of frame I, being supported in a bearing 42 in said frame member. The shaft 4| projects at one end from the inner side of frame I into the room and said end may be solid and squared for detachably connecting a crank 43 thereto (Fig. 4) while the remainder of the shaft is hollow and interiorly threaded, to threadedly receive a threaded bolt 44 with one end of said bolt projecting axially outwardly of said shaft 4I. This outwardly projecting end of bolt 44 may be attened to extend in the cleft on arm 33, and a pin 45 carried b-y sa'id end, extends into slots 40 in said arm 39.

In operation, upon turning crank 43, the bolt 44 will move axially inwardly or outwardly in shaft 4I, thus causing the arm 39 to rotate shaft 31 and to consequently move arms 35 for opening or closing the group of louvers 20'.

In most instances I provide a screen 46 between the groups of louvers 20, 20 and the sash 2 and 3, which screen will not in any way interfere with the opening or closing of the sash or louvers. It is pertinent to note that this screen tends to distribute the rays of light reected toward the sash by the louvers, thus producing a uniform spread of light passing into the room.

The positioning the louvers outside the sash and relatively. close to the latter is of considerable importance, since the light rays should pass directly into the room after being reflected from the louvers, and the sash must be relatively near the outer side of the frame to enable reception of the light, as a deep or wide frame in direction perpendicular to the wall, with the window sash adjacent the inner side, would result in cutting out of anappreciable amount of light even though the louvers would tend to overcome this objection.

The provision of the louvers outside the sash results in the dissipation of heat from the suns rays adjacent the outer side of the window in the open air, whereas were the louvers inside the sash, such heat would be dissipated into the room, which would be objectionable.

The manner in which the louvers and sash are pivoted, provides for a deflection of the air upwardly and over the occupants of a room, and the fact that the upper group of louvers 20 may be moved, for example, to the position indicated in dotted line in Fig. l, to shut out direct vision of the sky and sun, while the louvers of the lower group, which are more at eye level of such occupants may be opened to admit substantially all of the light reflected therefrom, is of great importance. When the lower louvers and the lower sash are inclined as indicated in dotted line in Fig. l, or even to horizontal position` in many instances, the vision of the sky and the attendant glare therefrom, is cut out, while adequate light is admitted for the room occupants at the desired level in the room. Ventilation, however, is still provided by the upperf group of louvers. The manner in which the windows swing inwardly at their upper edges provides for an adjustment of the windows relative to the reilected light from the louvers, in which reflection of rays by the window panes may be entirely eliminated irrespective of the position of the sun. Thus there is a strict coaction between the louvers and the sash, whereby one without the other cannot accomplish the desired ultimate results.

The structure affording a compact and complete assembly adapted to be installed in a Window opening in a building wall, is important since by this structure the window including the sash, louvers and the operating means for both, may be installed as easily as an ordinary window sash in its frame.

The operating bars and cords for the upper group of louvers and the bars for the lower group of louvers are concealed adjacent the side members of the frame by vertical strips 50 (Fig. 3) which may be drilled for shafts 28 and 31. Any rain or the like that might otherwise tend to pass the ends of the louvers and into the room past the sides of the sash, is prevented by vertical members 5| disposed between the strips 50 respectively, and the sides of frame I, which members may be cut away as indicated in Fig. 3 to accommodate the ends of shaft 28 and arms 21, as well as the ends of shaft 31.

Having described my invention, I claim:

Window construction 'comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be installed in a window and having parallel vertical side members and parallel horizontally extending top and bottom members, a plurality of louvers disposed one above the other in a vertical plane when closed and extending horizontally between said side members, hinge means supporting each louver for swinging one longitudinal edge thereof to one side of said plane and for supporting the opposite edge against substantial displacement relative to said plane, connecting means adjacent each of said side members connecting separate groups of said louvers for simultaneous swinging independently o! each other, a vertical strip adjacent each side member concealing said connecting means between each side member and the strip adjacent thereto, separate louver actuating means rotatably extending through said bottom frame member connecting with the said connecting means of each group for actuating said connecting means upon rotation of said louver actuating means. said louver actuating means projecting at one end from the side of said frame for manual actuation of the projecting l ends.

ERNEST J. KUMP, Jn. 

